Gender and social relationships among the never-married

Non-Spousal Support, Marital Status, and Mortality Risk

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the association between non-spousal support and mortality risk differs by marital status.

METHODS

Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 2460), we estimate a series of logistic regression models to assess how non-spousal support moderates the relationship between marital status and mortality across a 5-year period.

RESULTS

Never married respondents who had minimal perceived access to non-spousal support had a greater probability of death compared to married respondents with similar levels of non-spousal support. The disparity in mortality risk between these two groups disappeared when non-spousal support was high.

DISCUSSION

Although family and friends play an important role in mortality risk in later life, these findings suggest that never married older adults exhibit a heightened dependence on support from non-spousal sources. Future research and policies should explore ways in which never married older adults can be integrated into a supportive social environment.

Who should take care of me? Preferences of old age individuals for characteristics of professional long-term caregivers: an observational cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

It is most likely that the need for long-term care increases considerably in the next decades due to demographic shifts. Thus, we aimed at identifying the preferences for characteristics of professional long-term caregivers among old age individuals in Germany.

METHODS

Data were gathered from a population-based survey of the German population aged 65 and above in 2015 (n = 1006).

RESULTS

It was important for individuals in old age that long-term caregivers were 'empathetic, kind' (99.3%), 'punctual, reliable' (98.2%), have an 'orderly appearance' (96.4%), work in a 'small team' (92.5%) and have 'enough time' (91.5%). Moreover, while most of the individuals (76.5%) reported high preferences for 'German language', the preferences were lower for 'same cultural background' (54.2%) and 'same gender' (35.7%). In multiple logistic regressions, preferences for 'same gender' were positively associated with being female [OR 8.3 (5.6-12.1)], living with partner or spouse [OR 1.4 (1.0-1.9)], and being born abroad [OR 1.8 (1.1-3.1)]. Preferences for 'German language' were positively associated with being female [OR: 1.5 (1.1-2.1)]. Preferences for 'same cultural background' were positively associated with age [OR 1.0 (1.0-1.1)], living with partner or spouse [OR 1.4 (1.0-1.9)], and East Germany [OR 1.9 (1.3-2.7)]. Preferences for 'orderly appearance', 'empathetic, kind', 'punctual, reliable' and 'small nursing team' were all not significantly associated with included independent variables, whereas preferences for 'enough time' were positively associated with being female [OR 1.9 (1.1-3.5)], living with partner or spouse [OR 1.9 (1.1-3.4)], education [Apprenticeship, full-time vocational school, OR 3.1 (1.3-7.6)], not providing care for family/friends [OR 1.9 (1.1-3.3)], and involvement in the issue of need for care [OR 1.3 (1.1-1.6)].

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that it is important to almost every individual aged 65 and above in Germany that professional long-term caregivers are (i) empathetic, kind, and understanding, (ii) punctual and reliable, (iii) have enough time (e.g., for conversation), (iv) and have an orderly appearance. Furthermore, several factors such as gender or region were found to be associated with preferences for characteristics of caregivers. By knowing these factors, nursing services can tailor their activities to the needs of care-recipients.

Social Support and Life Satisfaction among the Never Married

This article examines the role of social support (measured as presence of a confidant, perceived social support, and frequency of informal interaction) in determining life satisfaction among the never married. Using data from Wave I (1986) of Americans’ Changing Lives, social support of the never married ( n = 266) is compared with that of the married ( n = 1,765) and previously married ( n = 1,147). Results indicate that age moderates the effect of marital status on social support such that the negative effects of being never married are greatest among the elderly. In the analyses of life satisfaction, marital status and social support are significant predictors. Moreover, social support partially mediates the effect of marital status on life satisfaction.

Personal determinants of acceptance of drinking and driving among Polish drivers

<b>Background</b><br /> <br /> The aim of the study was to explore a number of personal predictors that increase one’s approval of driving under the influence (DUI). In keeping with the previous studies, we assumed this approval will more often be expressed by unmarried young men with a lower level of education, who are additionally characterized by a higher need for stimulation, risk acceptance, sensation seeking, and a preference for hedonic values.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> <br /> After examining more than 1000 drivers, we selected a group of 254 individuals (97 men, 157 women) who formed our study group. In our survey, these drivers admitted to driving while intoxicated in the past, but at the same time declared that small doses of alcohol did not limit their driving skills. We used a set of research tools in order to verify the assumptions. The following tools measured temperamental and personality variables: Formal Characteristics of Behavior-Temperament Inventory, Risk Acceptance Scale, Stimulating-Instrumental Risk Inventory, Scheler Value Scale, Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, and Zuckerman’s Sensation Seeking Scale.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Driving under the influence of alcohol is most often approved of by unmarried men who have a higher level of education and are characterized by low levels of sensory sensitivity, low levels of emotional reactivity, an internal locus of control, a high need for risks, high sensation-seeking tendencies, and who prefer vital and aesthetic values.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> It is well justified to examine personal predictors of various dangerous road behaviors, such as driving under the influence of intoxicating substances. These studies could aid both creating effective social prevention programs and conducting psychological screening tests.

Singlehood: Transitions within a Gendered World

This study draws on the life histories of heterosexual childless individuals who have never married, to explore the more subtle ways that age norms affect the subjective experience of singlehood. Specifically, it examines whether or not it is appropriate to speak of transitions in the experience of singlehood. The data clearly reveal the experience of a transition to singlehood. This transition is represented by a change in self-attributed status that occurs over time and is associated with a cultural timetable for marriage. It marks the experience of “becoming single” that occurs when an individual identifies more with singlehood than with marriage. Moreover, I explore the ways in which singlehood is a gendered experience. The results from this study affirm the applicability of life course theory to the lives of single persons and serve to broaden the definition of the concept “transition” to include those not obviously marked by normative events.

Fatherhood and Men's Lives at Middle Age

This paper uses data on 2,024 men who were followed through the third wave of the National Survey of Families and Households to examine the implications of fatherhood experiences for men's involvement in altruistic social activities at middle age. We find that middle-aged men (ages 45-65) who at some point in their lives become fathers are significantly more likely to have altruistically oriented social relationships and be involved in service organizations compared to men who have never become fathers. Furthermore, it appears that the defining aspect of the effect of fatherhood is the level of engagement with children while they are growing up. Neither current residential status nor whether current non-residence occurs because of nest leaving is found to distinguish men's altruistic ties.

Does marriage protect older people from distress? The role of equity and recency of bereavement

The association between marital status and distress was examined in a largely neglected group, namely older people (65 and older; N = 1,649). In this 2-wave study, married persons were less distressed than single persons, but perceived equity within the marriage and recency of bereavement qualified these findings. Married persons who felt inequitably treated were more distressed than persons who had always been single. Married persons reported less distress than recently (= 2 years ago) widowed persons, but only equitably treated married persons reported less distress than persons widowed for more than 2 years. Increased distress between the 2 waves occurred in recently widowed persons, and there was a decrease in distress in persons who were widowed shortly before the 1st wave. No gender effects were found.

Always single and single again women: a qualitative study

What is it like to be a single woman today? Are the experiences of women who have always been single different from those who find themselves single again after having been married? How can family therapists promote the development of single women both individually and relationally? The purpose of this phenomenological, multiple-case study was to investigate perceptions of being single among heterosexual single women between the ages of 30 and 65. Nine focus group interviews and a semistructured, mailed questionnaire were used to collect the data. Constant comparative analyses were used to develop the findings. The findings were organized around the most salient theme that emerged from the analyses: single women have unresolved or unrecognized ambivalences about being single. This overarching theme was supported by three subassertions: (a) single women are aware of both the advantages and the drawbacks of being single; (b) single women are ambivalent about the reasons for their singleness; (c) although content with being single, many women simultaneously experience feelings of loss and grief. Implications for the clinical practice of family therapy and future research on single women are discussed.